About the Author

Claire Masurel is the author of numerous books for children,
including TOO BIG, illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama. TWO HOMES is her
first book for Candlewick Press. She wrote the story after talking
to a child who was sad about her parents' recent divorce. She says,
"To comfort her, I talked about her two homes, and all the many
things
she could do in them. It was a positive way of helping her accept
the changes in her life, focusing not on what was missed, but on
the abundance of good times -- and love -- that she would continue
to share with her mom and dad."

Kady MacDonald Denton is the illustrator of A CHILD'S TREASURY
OF NURSERY RHYMES and two books by Margaret Park Bridges - IF I
WERE YOUR FATHER and IF I WERE YOUR MOTHER. TWO HOMES is her first
book for Candlewick Press. She says, "Alex talks about simple
things like toothbrushes, bedrooms, and friends -- and they are all
special because they are part of the love Alex feels in both homes.
I tried to show that love in the illustrations."

Reviews

PreS-Gr 1-Young Alex's parents are divorced, and he spends time
with each of them. He has two rooms, two favorite chairs, two sets
of friends, two of everything. He loves both of them no matter
where he is, and they love him, no matter where they are. The ink,
watercolor, and gouache illustrations are comforting and warm.
There is no sign of the child missing one parent when he is with
the other or questioning his situation, and he seems quite well
adjusted. This book is clearly intended to help parents tell their
children that they are still loved despite their living
arrangements. For a different view of how children may feel about
sharing two homes, look to Judith Caseley's Priscilla Twice
(Greenwillow, 1995).-Holly Belli, Bergen County Cooperative Library
System, West Caldwell, NJ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business
Information.

Enhanced by Denton's sensitively drawn portrayals of the characters
within well-imagined scenes of domestic life, this picture book
will validate the experience of other two-household children, while
intriguing those single-home families. Simple, yet profoundly
satisfying.
--Booklist

The ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations are comforting
and warm....This book is clearly intended to help parents tell
their children that they are still loved despite their living
arrangements.
--School Library Journal

On page after page, Alex and his parents engage in the pleasant
common activities of early childhood, from playing dress-up with an
assortment of friends, taking a bath, and shucking peas at Dad's,
to baking gingerbread men at Mom's. An extremely positive take on
an often painful subject.
--Kirkus Reviews

In this sweet, simple tale, Alex discovers all the positive
things that come from living in different places with his mom and
dad.
--Parents